
By Clint Thompson
Florida’s blueberry breeding remains an integral part of production, not only in the state, but in the country as well.
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry breeder Patricio Munoz emphasizes the impact his program has had on varieties being produced across the country.
“In the case of Florida, I believe we have probably close to 95% of the market with the varieties that the University of Florida released. Even our varieties are being used in other states like Georgia and California,” Munoz said. “I believe the work that we are doing is on the right track, because we are getting implemented, and some of those are actually very recent. Especially in Florida, the rate of adoption for varieties is very fast. We can see the impact of the program very quickly.”
Munoz reported at the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference that the Farthing variety comprised the most blueberry acreage in North-Central Florida at only 16%. Sentinel and Optimus were reported at 13%, followed by Patrecia at 11% and Colossus at 8%. All are varieties released by UF/IFAS.
Evolving Industry
Blueberry production is constantly changing and evolving which makes the work being done by Munoz and his team essential to the long-term sustainability of the industry. For example, varieties suitable for machine harvesting were critical considering the rise in labor expenses.
“Machine harvesting has been a priority for a while. When you think about it, we released new varieties suitable for machine harvesting back in 2017; the variety Optimus. That has been established very successfully in Florida and also in Georgia. In some cases, harvesting that variety, almost 80% of the whole crop has been harvested with machines and 20% harvested by hand,” he added.
“As a breeder, that’s the work. Whenever (growers) have a new requirement, we need to have it. Otherwise, it’s too late. It takes years to develop a new variety. We need to be thinking ahead, because that’s our job.”